Houston Car Accident Investigations

If you’ve been involved and injured in a car accident as a result of a negligent individual, it’s crucial that you understand the circumstances that led to up to your crash in order to have a successful personal injury claim against the at-fault party. For this reason, securing the advice and counsel of an experienced personal injury lawyer who can successfully investigate the circumstances of your crash is invaluable.

Legal support for a claim against an at-fault individual usually requires an extensive inquiry and exploration to understand all the aspects of the incident, including injuries, damages owed, and the sequence of events. An expert lawyer will be instrumental in helping to provide an insurance carrier or lawsuit with the necessary evidence needed to recoup compensation associated with the crash.

What to Know About the Investigation Process After a Car Accident

Because the decisions surrounding insurance and liability will be made based on the findings of the investigation, it’s in your best interest to confirm that all information is collected accurately and chronologically. From the initial response at the accident scene to collecting vehicle information and witness interviews, here’s everything you need to know.

Just After the Accident

The best investigations begin right after the accident occurs. To make the deadline of the statute of limitations, your lawyer will want to gather as much evidence as possible for the claim and attempt to preserve the scene of the accident.

In the moments after your crash, you’re required by Texas law to report the accident to the local authorities. Contact the police as soon as possible once you’ve moved to a safe area away from the roadway. After any injured victims have been helped by emergency services, the investigators will tape off the area. They will then seek to determine fault and how the accident occurred by examining the scene. This will include searching for tell-tale signs such as tire skid marks, destroyed property, or damaged guardrails around the scene.

Vehicle Inspections

Generally, vehicle inspections serve two purposes: assessing the damage to the vehicles and determining if there were unsafe conditions that could have contributed to the accident. In many cases, the damage to the vehicles can reveal the speed at which they were traveling, the point of impact, and how hard the drivers applied the brakes.

Witness Statements

If there’s a disagreement with the other driver after your accident, the dispute will often turn into your word versus theirs, which can leave both drivers at a loss. If this is the situation you find yourself in, having an eyewitness to support your case can be instrumental in helping you win. That’s why, in the minutes after the crash, it’s important to find a third-party bystander who can back up your claim.

If you can’t find a credible witness, don’t despair. There are still methods by which you can win your case, including documenting the scene and finding an experienced attorney who can investigate and find witnesses after the fact.

Accident Reconstruction

Vehicular accident reconstruction involves investigating and drawing conclusions about the cause of a car accident. The professionals that conduct these investigations are called accident reconstructionists, and they’re normally employed by lawyers and insurance companies. An accident reconstructionist generally considers the laws of physics and engineering to determine a collision’s cause and contributing factors. Through recreating the event and collecting evidence, these professionals can provide clarity to the court. They can show, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you were the victim and deserve compensation.

Consult the Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers at Sutliff & Stout

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, it is crucial to have proper legal representation and a trusted professional with experience overseeing the investigation process. In many cases, police reports don’t tell the whole story. It’s not uncommon for these records to be missing vital information such as the exact cause of the accident and the true nature of the victim’s injuries. For this reason, an independent investigation may be necessary. That’s where we come in.

At Sutliff & Stout, our skilled lawyers can help you navigate the investigation process and ensure that you’re updated every step of the way. We understand that recovering from a car accident can be a challenging and emotional experience, which is why Board-Certified personal injury attorneys Hank Stout and Graham Sutliff strive to provide every client with the compassionate care, exceptional legal services, and personalized attention they deserve.

Since 2008, the Houston personal injury attorneys at Sutliff & Stout have helped countless accident victims in Houston secure millions of dollars in compensation for their injuries and losses. To connect with a dedicated car accident attorney and receive a free consultation, call (713) 987-7111 or complete our online contact form.